Background: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) can be described as ocular-related symptoms that result from prolonged exposure and use of computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices with digital displays. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CVS among school-age children, the associated signs, risk factors, and the association between the disease before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The targeted population was school-going children aged 6 to 18 in the Jazan region in the Southwest of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 440 participants was selected to represent the population under study. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded, such as age, gender, education level, parents’ education, occupation, frequency, and intensity of eye symptoms if present. Results: Most of the participants were adolescents between 16 and 18 and at a high-school education level. According to the total symptoms score, the CVS prevalence was 35.4%. Prevalence of CVS significantly affects age, gender, and school level (p < 0.05 for all). A similar significant association was reported between the symptoms experienced before and during COVID-19 and the CVS (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A total of 407 adolescents aged 16–18 responded to the questionnaire (response rate of 92.5%; 407 out of 440). The study estimated the prevalence of CVS among school-going children in Jazan to be low. The main signs associated with CVS included headache, tearing, itchiness, blurred vision, eye redness, eye pain, and dryness. The attitude of children toward their health condition during the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of CVS have a significant relationship.

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Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, knowledge and perception of Jazan province residents about traditional herbal medication. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 440 Saudi residents using an electronically distributed questionnaire. The questionnaire included 39 items divided into 4 parts. Data collected were about demographic characters, knowledge and perception about HM, and HM usage among participants. Results: Most of the participants used HM for therapeutic purposes (80.9%) and (29.5%) believed that mixing herbs together led to more effective results. The participants agreed to a very high degree that inherited culture plays an important role in HM use, however (84.5%) of them never used herbs. The participants used herbs mostly for treatment of diabetes mellitus representing (37%) and hypertension (20.5%). Age, marital status, and the job of participants had a statistically significant effect on participants’ views about HM. While, gender, educational level, income, place of residence and chronic diseases had no statistically significant effect. Conclusion: The highest percentage of the participants used HM for therapeutic purposes. Increasing awareness of Saudi population about instructions and restrictions when using HM is greatly needed.

To assess the connection between the prevalence of asthenopia and the use of electronic devices in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: Asthenopia prevalence and its connection to electronic screens during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated in an analytical, cross-sectional investigation among the Jazan population. The sample population included 784 participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a pre-tested, organized, and self-administered questionnaire was used as the study method. Social media invitations were used to contact the sample group. Results: Of the 784 participants, 587 (74.96%) had asthenopia symptoms after using digital devices at the end of the day. A total of 56.30% used digital gadgets for > 6 hours each day, whereas 55.36% spent <2 hours per day reading papers or books or writing. Daily usage of digital gadgets did not significantly differ from asthenopia (p=0.46), as well as reading papers, books, or writing and asthenopia (p=0.098). A total of 45.92% of the study population maintained digital devices/books at a distance <25 cm, which was significantly associated with symptoms of asthenopia (p=0.048). Furthermore, 90.10% of the sample population used laptops, cellphones, and iPads before going to bed or after turning off lights. A total of 63.52% preferred using devices while lying in bed. There was no positive link between asthenopia symptoms and cellphone usage at bedtime or after turning off lights (p=0.028). Conclusion: Digital technology is used by people of all ages for a wide range of daily activities, including education, employment, business, and recreation. We concluded that this group had a high prevalence of asthenopia, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high frequency of asthenopia emphasizes the significance of conducting public awareness campaigns concerning asthenopia symptoms and prevention methods.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) as a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and other diabetic complications are of great worldwide concern. In order to control both DM and DR, patients must be informed and comply with prevention and treatment recommendations. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and patient compliance behavior regarding DR among diabetic patients from Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia and identify factors related to patient awareness and compliance. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 385 diabetic patients from six primary healthcare centers in Jazan region. A self-administered questionnaire was used to solicit responses regarding knowledge, attitudes, and compliance with regular ophthalmic eye examinations. The questionnaire also comprised questions related to the sociodemographic data and other questions related to the diabetic status. The collected responses were presented as frequencies and percentages, and the associations between the variables were accomplished using Chi-squared test. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: About half of the participants (50.6%) were females, and 51.4% were within the age group 45-64 years. Less than half of the participants (40.8%) had low monthly income, and 45.5% were illiterate or had primary education. About 33.6% of the participants had the disease for more than 10 years, and 90.1% were controlled. There was a high awareness level of diabetes-related eye complications (96.4%) and the need for regular eye exams (93.5%). About 54.0% had never seen an ophthalmologist. Participants in the low to medium economic levels and those with primary education had a significant positive attitude. No significant associations were found between the diabetic variables and most of the knowledge and attitude questions (P> 0.05). Conclusion: There is a need to increase patient awareness about the complications of diabetes and the need for policy guidance for primary healthcare providers to follow best practices when treating diabetic patients to guard against and/or control its complications. Keywords: Diabetes, Knowledge, Attitudes, Ophthalmic eye examination, Compliance, Behavior, Diabetic retinopathy, Jazan.